Carissa welcomes FEI observer

MANILA, Philippines - Congresswoman Carissa Coscolluela has welcomed the Federation Equestre Internationale decision to send a representative to the upcoming Equestrian Association of the Philippines elections, which the FEI hopes will finally put the bitter leadership issue within the EAP to rest.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco, who said he remains the rightful EAP president, had earlier asked the International Olympic Committee’s representative to the Philippines, Frank Elizalde, to make the request to the FEI.

“We welcome the FEI’s decision to send an observer in the person of Mr. Christopher Hodson, the second vice president of the federation, and we will cooperate in finding a mutually suitable date to hold the election,” Coscolluela said. 

Coscolluela said Hodson, a New Zealander, was the same official appointed by Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, FEI president, to take over her presidential duties during the investigation of the horse doping scandals that involved her husband, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, and his son, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum, in equestrian endurance competitions. 

Since her election as FEI president, Princess Haya has campaigned aggressively to clean up the doping and medication controversies in equestrian sports.

Coscolluela had set the date of the election for Aug. 13, but said that “in order to accommodate the schedule of the FEI observer, we are more than willing to adjust the date of the election, for as long as there is not too much of a delay as there are many programs and activities on the pipeline for our athletes, and we don’t want to jeopardize these because of a prolonged process to end this dispute.”

Coscolluela also said she understands that Cojuangco is in a very delicate situation following the death of his elder sister, former President Cory Aquino.

“In fact, we should invite observers from the IOC headquarters in Switzerland and maybe even our own Securities and Exchange Commission to ensure that the elections are held in compliance with all applicable Philippine laws,” Coscolluela added.

Citing the crucial preparations for two important upcoming international competitions later this year, the Kuala Lumpur Grand Prix and the Southeast Asian Championships, Coscolluela stressed the need to hold the election at the soonest possible time, saying, “We cannot compromise the condition of the athletes and horses for these events by not having a clear direction for the association, otherwise, our medal chances will be in peril.”

Cojuangco, however, maintained that it should be him, and not Coscolluela, calling for the elections because he remains the EAP president being recognized by the POC.